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DISCOURSE 



COMMKMOnATIVIl OP THK 



DEATH OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN 



I'KKACap:i> IN TUK 



WASHINGTON AVENUE M. E. CHURCH, 



APRIL 20, 1805, 



B. HAWLEY, D. D. 



ALBANY, N. Y. : 

J. MUNSELL, 78 STATE STREET. 

1865. 






CORRESPONDENCE 



^ Albany, April 20, 18(55. 

j Ilc'v. Dr. IIawlky: 

IDciir Sir: — The Offlcial IJoard coiiiu'ctcd witli the Cluircli over Avliich 
you preside, have listened ■with imich plea.^ure and satisfaction to the 
, delivery of the discourse upon our national bereavement, and its lessons ; 
■ and most respectfully request you to prepare a copy of it for publication 
in pamphlet form. 

Respectfully, yours, &c., 

William Tiiokn, Nelson Bailey, 

Charles Tiiuubek, Elisiia Bailey, 

James G. Finch, John Skillicorn, 

Francis M. Hummel, Thomas Cox, 

T. R. B. Girling, Truman D. Cameron, 

R. L. Wetmore, John Le Gallez, 

Charles H. Smith, Isaac H. Finch, 

Jacob Slingerland, O. M. Hungerford, 

John E. Weaver, Charles Bartram. 
D. G. Staley, 



Albany, April 25, 18(35. 

To the Othcial Board of Washington Avenue M. E. Churcli — 

Gentlemen: — Your favor of the 20th instant, solicitinn; a r()\)y of 

my discourse commemorative of our recent national calamity, is gratefully 

acknowledged. 

Modestly complying with your request, 1 place the manuscri]>t at your 

disposal. 

Respectfully, cVc., 

B. HAWLEY. 



DISCOURSE 



Psalm ii, 1-4. 
Why do the heathen rage, and tlie people imagine a vain thing? The 
kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, 
against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, let us break their bands 
asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the 
heavens shall laugh : the Lord shall have them in derision. 

Amid the recent and abundant rejoicings over national 
victories, our country is in deep gloom and great sorrow. 
The emblems of mourning that drape this city, and festoon 
these galleries and pulpit, are but slight tokens of our heart- 
grief. A great man in our Israel has fallen. Abraham 
Lincoln is dead — not in the order, nor by the direction 
of Divine Providence, or the assassin were innocent; 
but by vengeful malice and demoniac hate. Yet, from 
this sad and unlooked-for event an important lesson may 
be learned. Instead of putting our trust in princes, in the 
arm of flesh, or in human wisdom, we shall learn to confide 
in the God of nations. Instead of glorifying human agen- 
cies, we shall learn to give to the great Supreme the honor, 
power, and dominion that belong to Ilim alone. In this 
regard, we may have erred in our exultations. In the 
midst of loud and joyous acclamations to heroes and to 
patriots a solemn reproof comes to us to remember the Lord 
our God. For national victories, for the taking of strong- 
holds, for the surrender of hoi^tile armies, and for the 
prospect of peace, joy is right and proper. But hero-wor- 
ship is idolatry. God will not give His glory to another. 

The momentous events of the past four years, cul- 



6 

mmating as they have in such brilliant and decisive vic- 
tories to our national arms, in such marked demonstrations 
of Intinite Providence in behalf of freedom to all Americans, 
and in defence of true democratic principles — even though 
they are darkened by the startling assassination of our 
noble, honored, and patriotic president — induce me to lead 
your thoughts this hour to some inquiries started by the 
royal Psalmist, as he looked out on the commotions and 
oppositions of the people and their rulers to the destined 
ascendency of truth and righteousness over error and 
unrighteousness in all lands. These strugglings of prin- 
ciples, because of the sin of man, are inevitable, though 
gradual, and are resulting, with every revolution of the 
earth, in the sure extension and triumph of humane and 
Christian sentiments. 

In this psalm we have a prophetic allusion to the triumph 
of truth over error, of Christian sentiments over irrel'giou 
and despotism, of the peaceful kingdom of our Lord over 
the kingdoms of the world, and therefore of liberty and 
freedom to man over oppression and tyranny. 

The monarchies of the old world and the aristocratic 
oligarchies of the new, are in structure and in spirit op- 
posed to the enlarged freedom inculcated and promoted 
by Christianity, whose history is that of a true, benign, 
and enduring civilization — a civilization without convul- 
sions, without fire and sword, if possible, and yet with 
them, if forcible resistance and stern opposition interpose 
themselves. The rise and fall, the growth and decay of 
nations, and the modifications of governments clearly 
show this. Though revolutionary^, it is not the spirit of 
Christianity to produce moral nor civil convulsions, nor to 
use the sword, but to oppose and overcome error with 
truth, ignorance with intelligence, despotism with free- 
dom, and anarchy by law and order. In such a work, 
preparatory to the millenial glory of the church and world, 



"oftenses must needs come," but woe to those powers by 
which tliey come. Offenses arise, not from any inter- 
meddling, agitating, or contending spirit of Christian 
principles, but from the oppositions of human nature, in 
her various policies of government, to the t^pirit and pro- 
gress of truth and righteousness. 

Our text gives a l>rief and grapliic view of the feelings 
and conduct of the perverse and insubordinate towards the 
kingdom of righteousness, and the disposition of God 
towards the opposers of His truth and grace. 

I. The word here rendered "heathen," means nations, 
without any reference to tlieir idolatry or otherwise, 
thougli the nations of the world were then more or less 
idolatrous; and it refers to the several despotic and mon- 
archical governments then existing, and to their animus 
foreseen to be transmitted to other nations and peoples 
opposing themselves to the noble catholicity, the hunum 
brotherhood, wide-spread civilization, and to the spirit of 
freedom to be promoted by the Lord and his anointed, 
whether they be kings, rulers, governors, or presidents 
legitimately enthroned or in power. The history of na- 
tions, especially of modern ones, is a clear exposition of 
this fact. The imaginings of the people, the counsels of 
kings and rulers, and the utterances of thrones, are gener- 
ally against the government of truth and righteousness. 

In this psalm are several expressions that describe the 
feelings and unrestrained conduct of the masses of men 
towards God and his cause. They are said to "rage," 
literally ttunidtaoiisly assemble, swaying the wild populace 
and intimidating some ruling minds by their noisy convo- 
cations, riotous proceedings, and when sufficient force and 
influence sliall be gathered, attempting to subvert benign 
and vigorous govei-nment, and to root out the principles 
of truth and righteousness. Thus it was when the confused 
multitude of Ephesians conspired against the apostle 



Paul, the more part not knowini^ wherefore they had come 
together. 

'No matter how quietly and innocent!}-, nor how hu- 
manely, the representatives of truth and righteousness 
may attempt to carry out their henign and noble mission, 
they are almost sure to meet the opposition of fanatics 
and the clamor of anarchists, or the tediously slow move- 
ments of so-called conservatives, who are always behind 
the openings and leadings of Providence. For instance; 
against Paul and Silas, who, in their divinely called mis- 
sion to Macedonia, had incidentally attended a prayer- 
meeting with certain devout Jews at Philippi, and by 
authority had expelled the spirit of divination from a sooth- 
saj'ing damsel — thus showing the antagonism of Chris- 
tianity to so-called spiritualism — the frenzied multitude 
rose together, and the magistrates rent their garments and 
commanded the apostles to be beaten and imprisoned. But 
how strangel}^ the furor of those men was overruled to the 
furtherance of truth and the cause of God! At mid- 
night, all around still in sleep, the prison locks and bolts 
and bars all carefully secured, the keys in safe keeping, 
these two men sang a hymn and prayed. He that sitteth 
in the heavens laughed. The prison walls were shaken. 
In expressive symbol of the freedom due to truth and her 
representatives in all the world and in all time, the keyless 
bolts flew back, the riveted bars sprung loose, and the 
doors were opened by Angel-hands. Even so the prison 
doors of thousands of them that are bound have been 
opened in all the South of this nation by Angel's hands, 
and liberty has been proclaimed to the captives. The 
Lord's anointed has preached good tidings to the meek 
among us, and proclaimed this acceptable year of the 
Lord. Then the awakened jailer, with the lamp of wild 
curiosity in one hand and the sword of despotism in the 
other, hastened to the inner prison — this once the enclos- 



lire of dignified innocence — and found the apostles safeand 
calm in their Christian majesty, as are snugly harhored 
vessels amid surrounding storms. And how composedly 
did those saintly men say to the confused representative 
of despotism, "Do thyself no harm; we are all here." 

JSTot for their sakes was that scene, but for Macedonia 
and her iron sceptre, and for the world. As might be 
expected, and from that time, that prison household con- 
stituted the beginning of the large and influential church 
ill Philippi, to which an apostolic epistle Avas afterwards 
addressed. Even so, epistles from the purer churches of 
our loyal North may yet be read in the late centres of the 
disloj-al South, giving to them a welcome to the higher 
planes of Christian civilization. 

These things are but the indications and promises of 
what Christianity always and everywhere aims to do, 
peaceably if it may, forcibly if it must. And when the 
outbursts of passion are over, and the determined hate is 
conquered on our soil, the hand of God will be recog- 
nized, uncovered from surrounding cloud-curtains, in 
bringing to triumphant issues the cause of truth and right- 
eousness among us. How often, during the past few 
years, have innocent, virtuous, and noble men been 
scourged, im})risoned, and hung, for no other offense than 
speaking the truth in love, and preaching righteousness. 
The slowly gathered results of that dominant spirit are 
treachery and rebellion, and at last the Jiaidish assassina- 
tion of the noble representative-head of this nation!! 

You know how Herod the Great endeavored to forestall 
the kingdom of universal peace in searching for the child 
Jesus and prospective King of kings, while yet in the 
weakness of infancy, that he might surely prevent his sit- 
ting upon the throne of David. And you know how the 
child escaped the sword; how he lived, increased in wis- 
dom and stature; how he taught as never man taught; 



10 

how he established a Kingdom of righteousness and peace ; 
and though by "wicked hands was shiin, how he lives and 
reigns in immortal triumph — declaring and securing the 
certain triumph of all virtue and truth. 

So, also, Herod Antipas struck, as he thought, an oppor- 
tune as also fatal blow when he beheaded John the 
Baptist. But he left truth unwounded. The spirit of 
Elias yet lives in the world. Embodied in many a rough 
exterior it may be, and clothed in an humble garb, it is 
oft enthroned in the chair of state, and presides over the 
affairs of nations, preparatory to the reign of the Prince 
of peace. 

The Roman Emperors, l^ero and Domitian, in sym- 
pathy with the prevalent spirit of rapacious empire, 
breathed out cruelty and executed fearful persecutions 
upon innocence and virtue in the church of Christ. But 
Virtue survives immortal, does she not? And Innocence 
never dies. 

Such like combinations of foreign nobilities and home 
oligarchies have conspired to sever this great country and 
to alienate one-third of the territory from freedom and 
righteousness. To this end covenants have been broken, 
plunder has been committed, and rebellion and war have 
been inaugurated on a gigantic scale. Immense treasures 
and noble lives have been poured out like water by one 
fierce party in order to accomplish their diabolic purpose; 
and by the patriotic squadrons of freemen in order to 
preserve and transmit the principles of liberty — the herit- 
age of their fathers — unimpaired to posterity. And just 
as this worthy purpose was nearly accomplished, the eye- 
lids of morning opening the day of bright and cheerful 
peace; and, after severe and repeated contests, decisive 
victories, had resulted to the national arms — the hearts 
of thousands in grateful joy — this strange, tragic, and 
mournful event transpired, sending quicker than the com- 



11 

ing oil of night, great sorrow to the nation's heart. And 
tliougli, in the words of the assassin, "Virginia is 
avenged," the j)eople have lost a true friend, and tlie nation 
her liberator. Fresh and fragrant as are the hiurels of 
fame that rest on the brow of Wilberforce, no less green 
and immortal are those on the head of Abraham Lincoln. 

2. "The people imagine a vain thing." They design 
successful resistance to the government of righteousness 
and peace, and seem determined to inaugurate the reign 
of despotism. In presuming to oppose successful resist- 
ance to the development of Christian principles, they im- 
agine a vain thing. Truth, like light, is irresistible, and 
though wrapped in a tliousand midnights of error, will 
Hash its way out, and throw, its simple elements of beauty, 
like the bow of promise, on the clear, blue sky of hope. 

Take illustrations : The celebrated philosopher and 
infidel, Hume, demeaned his powerful mind hy adroitly 
and openly opposing the Church of Christ with his intricate 
and seemingl}^ logical sophistries. But in the gradual 
and sure progress of truth, the Scottish Branch Bible-So- 
ciety held its meeting for organization in Hume's house. 
And the prophec}' of his, that the nineteenth century 
would witness the overthrow of the Christian religion, has 
most signally failed. And to day Christian principles are 
revolutionizing the world and elevating the nations. 

So alas the subtle Voltaire ridiculed the Bible, maligned 
Christianity, and imagined he saw the wasting twilight of 
the gospel-day. He was mistaken. It Avas rather the 
fading, gray dawn of the morning of truth then opening 
on the hills of iniidel and papal France. And in a few 
years thereafter, the same press that gave publicity to his 
bald atheism, flung ofi" the printed pages of the maligned 
but Holy Scriptures, for the enlightenment and salvation 
of his countrymen. 

A few years ago Abner Kneeland, who in Boston took 



12 

out Lis Avatch and challenged the Christian's God to take 
his life in five minutes, began the organization of an athe- 
istic colony in the then unoccupied West, that he might 
forestall the establishment of Christianit}', and forever 
exclude churches from its territory. But Kneeland died; 
his community disbanded for the want of cohesive power; 
and now that ver}' locality is occupied by schools and evan- 
gelical churches. Indeed, most of the eftbrts of the ene- 
mies of Christianity are in the end futile. An all-wise 
Providence thwarts the consummation of their plans. 
Devised in worldly wisdom, they may be, and skillfully 
managed, but are sure to end in defeat and ignominy 
Many daring schemes, for the suppression of liberty and 
the establishment of tyranny, have been inaugurated, and 
for a time prosecuted with hope of success, which have 
deservedly and signally failed. Truth and justice are 
immortal, and, though crushed to earth, will rise again. 

3. So also, "the kings of the earth set themselves, and 
the riders take counsel together." The kings of the Roman 
States legislated against Jesus Christ, and yet in the fourth 
century, after a long and unequal struggle between 2:)agan- 
ism and Christianity, between light and darkness, earnest 
and well contested debates having been carried on in the 
national councils, the vote was taken by which Christian- 
ity became thence-forward the established religion of the 
Roman Empire. 

We have a notable instance of the power of royalty 
against Christian civilization being turned by the counsels 
of God to the benefit of humanity in the triumph of truth, 
in the English Revolution. The fickle-minded James II 
extended to the Papacy his royal patronage, and to the 
living piety of the nation he stretched out a persecuting 
hand. He employed his prime minister, the cruel and 
relentless Jeffreys, to oppose Protestantism. The contest 
was severe, cruel, but in vain. In the order of Him who 



13 

puts down one and sets np another, William, Prince of 
Orange, easily and effectually secureda bloodless ascension 
to the throne. Frotestantism was fostered. King James 
stealthily fled to France — whither the traitor, Jeiferson 
Davis, would gladly flee — ; and the bloody Jeftreys died 
ignobly and full of terror in the gloomy tower of London. 
God avenged liis own elect. And thence on the British 
nation, having a limited monarchy, a benign and some- 
what equitable government — despite her aristocratic 
nobility, love of empire, and jealousy of Republicanism — 
is a great Christian power in the world. 

Another daring instance of opposition to the Lord and 
his anointed authorities we have in the French Revolution. 
From the beginning of the Papal supremacy, arrogantly 
usurped, France was its chiefpatron and defender. Early 
as the ninth century she gave to it temporal dominion, 
and for a long period was its mightiest and most earnest 
agent of intolerance and persecution. But in process of 
time all this servility was changed, naturally changed, to 
open scorn and hostility. At the close of the prophetic 
period, in 1793 — the 1260th year from the birth of the 
Papal supremac}' — began to rage the infidel democracy. 
Discarding the monarchy, that had been the most flourish- 
ing on the continent, the first to foster the arts and 
manners, its language universal, its influence almost 
boundless, and its literature a spring at which all nations 
drank; France rent oflT her robes of royalty and law, and 
banished respect for religion and order. Her vine-clad 
hills and plains were desolated by civil war. The throne 
was prostrate, and the churches were shut. In an august 
assembly it was deliberately voted, "-There is no God." 
On the 7th ofiTovember, 1793, Gobet, Bishop of Paris, 
attended by his Vicars General, entered the hall of Legis- 
lature, tore off" his ecclesiastical robes, and abjured Chris- 
tianity: declaring that "the only religion thenceforward 



14 

should be the religion of liberty, equality, and morality" 
— licentious, lawless, and groundless. Ilis words were 
echoed amid shouts of approval. In a few days the city 
authorities introduced to the assembled citizens a veiled 
woman as the goddess of Reason, saying, "There is no 
God; the Avorship of Reason shall exist instead thereof. " 
The assembly bowed before her in mock reverence. Borne 
to the cathedral, thenceforward called the temple of Rea- 
son, she was adored by the misguided people. Atheism 
was formally enthroned. Heaven was insulted; and high 
treason against God and humanity reached its zenith. 
Recklessness, licentiousness, and blasphemy were the 
prominent features of that gloomy reign of terror. 

These extremes of servility to the Papal hierarchy, and 
of abandonment of all Christian sentiments, were too great 
for even corrupt and bewildered hnmanity. The surgings 
of the waters must abate. The tide of human instincts, 
universal sense of right, and of heaven-inspired consciences, 
must turn. And never more than now did evangelical truth 
prevail in France. 

I mention these several historic facts to show 3'ou the 
Christian ideas of God in history, and to designate the 
ground of our hope in this dark, yet brightning hour of 
national life. Truth and righteousness are triumphant. 
Liberty and tyranny are not twins. The short and 3'et 
brilliant history of our nation shows their antagonism. 
Liberty is immortal. Tyranny shall utterly perish. Her 
last battles are beino; foue-ht. 

We all know that the design of the Slave-aristocracy, 
in inaugurating this fearful rebellion, was to nationalize 
the institution, or to make it the corner stone of a separate 
Confederacy. And though the legitimate authority of the 
nation at iirst designed no interference with it, other than 
to limit its growth, and confine it within constitutional 
bounds; yet, strange to say, the prinuxl idea of the sove- 



15 

reignty of freedom has so widely spread, and taken so deep 
a hold on the judgment of the nation, that an edict of 
emancipation has gone forth, never to he recalled. A 
nation is horn to freedom in a day. Prophesy is fulfilled. 
The hierarchy of despotism on this continent is ended ; 
its last fatal hlow has heen struck, llencefbrth the Gen- 
ius of liberty is unfettered. In sublime dignity she stands 
on the dome of universal freedom on this continent. 

For a while, during our national struggle, the sympa- 
thies and material aid of the ruling classes in England 
and France, were with the rebellion. Many in the loyal 
states seemed to lean in the same direction. ]^ot until 
the combined wisdom, resources, and power of the nation 
had gained the ascendency, did these abetters of wrong 
cease their covert hostility to the })oli(y of the nation — a 
policy in harmon^^ with the intuitions of humanity and 
the known will of God. And now the last act in this ter- 
rible drama of blood and carnage, will only, and it may be 
too severely, recoil on the instigators of this stupendous 
wrong, and inspire the hearts of all who mean to be free- 
men indeed, to greater courage and stronger eftbrts to 
save the nation. Abraham Lincoln being dead, yet speak- 
eth. His mind, looking to an entire diseuthrallnient of 
this great nation from the chief antagonism to liberty and 
prosperity, will be carried out. Ilis soul is not dead, but 
lives in and among the people, lifting them to noble man- 
hood. His mantle of clemency and authority will fall on 
some Elisha. 

Four years ago, the 14th iust., the national banner, on 
the island-fort of the Union, was taken down under rebel 
order, and open defiance was shown to the national author- 
ity. The same day, after four years of untold and san- 
guinary struggles, that same emblem of power and glory, 
having been carefully borne northward by heroic hands, 
was raised again in triuniph, never to be traih'd again 
in ignominy by traitor bands. On that smnc day — a day 



16 

never to be foro;otten by freemen — tbe crowning act of 
perfidious and deliberate madness was reached, in tbe dar- 
ing conspiracy against tbe representatives of our national 
authority, and in the murder of our nohle President. 

'']]lind unbelief is sure to err, 
And scan God's work in vain: 
God is his own interpreter, 
And He will make it plain." 

II. Why do the nations rage, tbe people imagine a vain 
thing, and rulers take counsel together against God and 
bis anointed — against eternal truth and its humane pro- 
moters? 

They most certainly act against tbe common good, as 
also against their own. Their efforts to subvert truth and 
righteousness are in vain. Human life may be endan- 
gered, may be taken; human plans may be delayed, may 
be foiled; but the invincible spirit and power of truth and 
right live to meet, confront, and overcome the opposing 
evil, though it culminate in anarchy and despotism ex- 
treme. Christianity is forbearing, kind, and good doing. 
And though its leaven of truth and grace works in and 
throughout the whole mass of humanity, it lorongs no man. 
Unless the opposition of rulers and of the people be com- 
bined against it, no ruinous convulsions attend the reforms 
demanded alike by tbe will of God and the greatest good 
of tbe world. While the genius of our religion soothes 
the disquieted, deals kindly but firmly with the erring, 
and alla3'S discontent; it also awakens courage to do and 
to endure for the right. Christian and enduring reforms 
are always gradual, either in their preparation or in their 
consummation. However radical the truths, they teach 
an inflexible adherence to duty, though the duty may be 
modified and determined by expediency as also by law. 
Why then such opposition to them? Equally opposed to 
lawless and riotous anarchy and to despotism, true religion 



17 

teaches all men to render to each that which is just 
and equal, ohediencc to lawfully constituted government, 
and profound homage to the Supreme. In a rcpul>liean 
government, like ours, all just and needed reforms are 
practicable without rebellion. 

0, it is a strange infatuation that resists truth and right- 
eousness, and lightly esteems the institutions founded on 
them. Yet they have never been popular with the people, 
nor with rulers. When were they more attractively or 
plainly "preached to the great congregations" than by the 
Savior of men? But never did they meet greater opposi- 
tion. ]N'ever was there a better constituted, more equita- 
ble, nor more benign government, than is ours; yet never 
was there a deeper seated nor more malicious rebellion, 
than this we deprecate. And judging from the righteous- 
ness of the nation's cause, from the wondrous uprisings of 
loyal and brave men, from the immense resources of the 
government, from the success attending our arms in the 
recovery of states, the retaking of strongholds, and from 
the broad sweep of liberty-loving and union-saving men, 
and (may I not say it?) from the invincibility of eternal 
justice; never were a traitorou^ horde more thoroughly 
whipped, nor a rebellion more utterly crushed than are 
these — a rebuke to treason in all time. 

But iclvj this hostility to Christian rule? It is not ex- 
tended by the sword, like Mohammedanism ; nor by chiv- 
alrous crusades, like the Papacy; nor by sophistry and 
blasphemy, like Infidelity; but openly, affectionately, and 
earnestly by the power of truth and the sway of right- 
eousness and peace. Did the Genius of Liberty make her 
advances by ignorance and tj-rainiy, l)y revolt and dis- 
loyalty, her crown of glory would not be worth the seek- 
ing, much less the vigorous defences she is now making 
on this continent. 

The cause or reason of this general and determined 



18 

opposition to trutli and rigliteousness is more tluiii indi- 
cated by the Psalmist: "Let lis break their bands asun- 
der, and cast their cords from ns." The truth of God has 
hands ; the rigliteousness of his anointed has cords. Open 
license needs restraint. Law is made for the disobedient. 
Oppression, that was local among us, and by suflerance, 
sought nationality, and by assumed right. In the growth 
of general intelligence, in the dignifying of labor, in the 
gathering supremacj' of free principles, it had lost the bal- 
ance of power, and no longer controlled the nation. To 
regain its position, something must be done, or it must 
attempt an Empire of its own, and on soil to be wrested 
from the domain of freedom. This purpose found sympa- 
thizers among "kings and rulers" abroad. Professing 
neutrality, they aided the rebellion. Speaking equivo- 
cally, they fraternized Avith disunion. Whether the pro- 
phetic soul of the Psalmist saw in outline the present state 
of things or not, he certainly knew, and most graphically 
described, the contest of principles now going on. And 
he ogives a cheerins: view of the results of all such contests. 
"lie that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord 
shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto 
them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure." 

An unwillingness to submit to constitutional govern- 
ment is the cause of this rebellion and of its legitimate as- 
perities and cruelties. "Were there in righteous authority 
no restraints, no limitations, no law, it might be endured as 
a convenient ornament to social life and a fellow of 
despotism. But as the decree has gone forth, and the 
King of righteousness is set on the holy hill of Zion, the 
golden "bands" of brotherhood and the silver "cords" of 
Union must here be broken and cast away, if possible. 

HE. The momentous lesson to be learned from all truth- 
ful history in reference to the results of these unequal 
contests, is that all opposition to the counsels of (iod, is 
vain. 



19 



Tnitli and ri<:;lit nuist triinii](li in (lio subjugation of evil, 
and in the overruling ot" evil designs, for the ultimate good 
of God's kingdom. The eternal years of God belong to 
right, and though cast down it will rise again in immortal 
freshness and vigor. Already rc'I)el armies are disconitit- 
ed ; their strongholds are taken, and the corner stone of 
their fabric of State is shivered to atoms. The rebellion 
is a forlorn hope. Timid ones, aye, strong men, have 
tremljlod for the result. Traitorous ones have cavilled 
and complained. But there is loyalty enough, and power 
enough, to save the nation. 

As a people we have been humbled, and deservedly so. 
"We bow to the will of God. AVe kiss the Son. And lilt- 
ed up again by the Divine hand, we gird ourselves for 
the duties of chastened and corrected manhood. " We 
will serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling." 

The occasion that calls us together, that bids a nation 
of loyal and free men to bow their heads in sorrow, is 
among the last blows of despairing and revengeful treason. 
But the nation lives. Lives ? Aye, lives in all the vigor 
of manly purposes, and amid the hopes of a grand and 
glorious future. She is, and ever will be, an asylum for 
the oppressed, and a home for the free. The name of 
our honored and murdered President will go down to pos- 
terity through all time, cherished, even venerated, above 
that of kings; while the name of traitors will l^e a hiss- 
ing forever. 

In our mourning let us, fellow citizens, be firm, hope- 
ful, true to the right, and forgiving; and God, even our 
God will bless us. 

Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky, February 12, 
1800, and was, therefore, at the time of his death, in his 
57th year. When eight years of age his father removed 
to Indiana, then an almost uninhabited wilderness. Here 
young Lincoln obtained the rudiments of an education, 



20 

more solid and practical than ornamental, by energy and 
perseverance, almost unaided by tutors. In 1830 his 
ftither settled in Illinois. In 1832 Mr. Lincoln raised a 
company for the Black Hawk war, and was made captain. 
After this military service was over he entered into busi- 
ness for himself, and in 1834 commenced his political ca- 
reer in the legislature of the state. He subsequently 
studied law and was admitted to practice. Removing to 
Springfield in April, 1837, he prosecuted a successful prac- 
tice. Three times he was elected to the legislature. In 
1847 he took his seat in congress as the only Whig Rep- 
resentative from his state. After several years in vary- 
ing political life, he was nominated. May 16, 1860, at 
Chicago, for President of the United States, and was 
elected November 6tli. On his arrival at Harrisburgh, 
a plot for his assassination, as he should pass through Bal- 
timore, was discovered, and he reached Washington in dis- 
guise. March, 1861, he was inaugurated to his respon- 
sible position, and we all know the character of his presi- 
dency; what firmness mingled with clemency has marked 
the four years unprecedented in any civilized nation. We 
know, and gratefully acknowledge, the wonderful revolu- 
tion of sentiment that has transpired throughout the entire 
nation on the great subject-matter of old and bitter 
discussions in civil and political circles. " The Lord 
reigneth." 

Reelected November 8, 1864, Abraham Lincoln entered 
on his second term of service with almost unparalleled 
popularity; and amid strong hopes that his calm and ca- 
pacious mind would see the rebellion effectually crushed, 
and peace joyfully and permanently dawning on the coun- 
try. But just as this looked-for day was opening, and the 
eyes of all were fixed on the inviting scene — on the fourth 
anniversary of the surrender of Fort Sumter, the anni- 
versary also of the Crucifixion of the world's Redeemer, 
he fell bjj the hand of an assassin, and died the day follow- 
ing, mourned by a jSTation of Freemen. Blessed be 
HIS Memory. 



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